Registration opens for Byte Night 2011
Registration for Byte Night 2011, the IT industry sleep-out that supports Action for Children, opens today with the UK technology sector pledging its support once again for the fight against youth homelessness and social deprivation.
Now in its fourteenth year, Byte Night 2011 will take place on October 7, and is expected to smash last year’s grand total of £550,000. In recent years, senior IT executives from some of the UK’s biggest companies – including BT, Salesforce.com, Ernst & Young and RBS – have slept rough to help prevent youth homelessness in the UK.
Raising much needed funds for Action for Children’s projects around the country, Byte Night is now a staple event in the IT calendar, with the link between the technology sector and the charity’s valuable work growing increasingly relevant. According to the event’s founder Ken Deeks, Byte Night 2011 will reflect the close relationship the IT community has with Action for Children and will emphasise the importance of technology in shaping the lives of vulnerable and neglected young people.
“Young people increasingly rely on technology – not only to communicate, but also in education, personal development and career prospects. IT is an industry that attracts some of the brightest and most innovative young people in the country, who have grown up using various technologies,” explains Deeks.
“Byte Night empowers IT people to support the fight against youth homelessness, as well as meet likeminded people from across the industry who are passionate about helping young people.”
To date, the campaign has raised more than £3m for the charity, and organisers hope this year’s appeal with generate over £600,000 alone, with 700 sleepers taking part.
Andrew Harris, director of fundraising and appeals at Action for Children, commended the impact the campaign has had: “The support of the IT community has been critical in allowing us to provide safe and secure accommodation to vulnerable children and young people at risk of homelessness. But it’s not simply a case of providing funds; the support we’ve received through Byte Night over the past fourteen years suggests there is genuine passion for the cause. The community of sleepers and supporters are truly inspiring, both to their peers and to the people they help.”
Channel Pro and its sister titles at Dennis Publishing are throwing their support behind Byte Night. This year’s event will take place in London, the Thames Valley, Cambridge and Scotland (Edinburgh) on Friday, October 7. Get more information and to book your place here.
